Major League Baseball

Marlins ace Fernandez cleared to begin throwing program in October

Published Sep. 19, 2014 6:05 p.m. ET

foxsports

MIAMI — Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, wearing his white home uniform for team photos Friday at Marlins Park, flashed his mega-watt smile with good news he received from his cross-country trip.

After meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday, he returned to South Florida with clearance to begin a throwing program Oct. 1.

For three to four minutes, Fernandez will play catch from somewhere between 30 to 45 feet. From there, it will be a gradual build-up on a week-to-week basis. The schedule only goes as far as December, with three to four weeks off before restarting the program again in January.

"It means a lot," Fernandez said. "That's what I do: I pitch. I throw the ball. It means the world after a surgery like that. Just feeling the way I'm feeling is great, but I've got to be really smart how I'm going to approach this, and I have to be really careful, because I really don't want to come back for three months.

"I want to come back for 13-14 years that I want to play in the big leagues. That's basically my plan. I've got to be smart about it."

Fernandez underwent the procedure, which usually requires a recovery period of 12 to 18 months, on May 16. He was 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in eight starts, his last on May 9 in San Diego. At the time, Miami held a 20-16 record. The Marlins are 54-63 since — through Friday night's 3-2 loss to NL East champion Wasington Nationals.

Monday through Friday he works with physical therapist Ron Yacoub. He has lost 10 pounds and his weight ranges from 219 to 221.

The 2013 National League Rookie of the Year can be found shagging flyballs in the outfield during Marlins' batting practices. When the ball comes to Fernandez, he catches it with his glove before throwing it back with his left.

"I'm trying," Fernandez joked about becoming a lefty. "I was actually talking to ElAttrache about it. 'You know, probably if anything happens I'll go lefty.' ... At the end of the day, feeling good, looking forward to throwing and being patient. That's the most important part."

The 22-year-old said he feels 100 percent and that "over the last month I've felt like I didn't even have the surgery."

A target date hasn't been set for his return. Whether it's Opening Day or September 2015, the goal from the beginning has been taking it week by week. Fernandez previously mentioned the first start following the All-Star break, so July 17 in Philadelphia. On Friday, he off-handedly mentioned our neighbors up north, when the Marlins visit the Blue Jays on June 8-10.

"Not really because I don't want to get disappointed in myself," Fernandez said of a timeframe. "Basically whatever day it is — I would love for it to be a home game. I would prefer that, but if it's in Canada, I don't mind. I just want to be pitching and help my team and give my team a chance to win."

You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.

Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, wearing his white home uniform for team photos Friday at Marlins Park, flashed his mega-watt smile with good news he received from his cross-country trip.

After meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday, he returned to South Florida with clearance to begin a throwing program Oct. 1 in Miami.

For 3 to 4 minutes, Fernandez will play catch from somewhere between 30 to 45 feet. From there, it will be a gradual build-up on a week-to-week basis. The schedule only goes as far as December, with three to four weeks off before restarting the program again in January.

Fernandez underwent the procedure, which usually requires a recovery period of 12 to 18 months, on May 16. He had gone 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in eight starts, his last on May 9 in San Diego. At the time, Miami held a 20-16 record. The Marlins are since 54-62.

Monday through Friday he works with physical therapist Ron Yacoub. He has lost 10 pounds and his weight ranges from 219 to 221.

The 2013 National League Rookie of the Year can be found shagging fly balls in the outfield during batting practice. When the ball comes to Fernandez, he catches it with his glove before throwing it back with his left.

"I'm trying," Fernandez joked about becoming a lefty. "I was actually talking to ElAttrache about it. 'You know probably if anything happens I'll go lefty.' 'No, we don't want to think like that.' At the end of the day, feeling good, looking forward to throwing and being patient. That's the most important part."

The 22-year-old said he feels 100 percent and that "over the last month I've felt like I didn't even have the surgery."

A target date hasn't yet been set for his return. Whether it be Opening Day or September 2015, the goal from the beginning has been taking it week by week. Fernandez has previously mentioned the first start following the All-Star break, so July 17 in Philadelphia. On Friday, he off-handedly mentioned our neighbors up north, when the Marlins visit the Blue Jays on June 8-10.

"Not really because I don't want to get disappointed in myself," Fernandez said of a timeframe. "Basically whatever day it is -- I would love for it to be a home game. I would prefer that, but if it's in Canada, I don't mind. I just want to be pitching and help my team and give my team a chance to win."

You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her atcdenicola13@gmail.com.